Aspiring Youth has been providing social groups, summer camps, coaching, and other programs for children, teens, young adults, and their families since 2004. We are a nationally accredited program and part of Ryther, a non-profit leader in behavioral health services for over 130 years.
Our participants have strengths, aspirations, and integrity with a wide range of interests but have often been perplexed or withdrawn from social situations. Many have a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or social anxiety, though no diagnosis is required by our program.
Our school year groups provide engaging activities and close communication with caregivers to help young people develop confidence and friendship. We provide over 30 groups each quarter in the Seattle area, including groups in Kirkland, Bellevue, and SODO. Our groups leverage the strengths of our students and are designed to help kids learn by being kids. Each quarter, we serve students ages 5-26 in variety of different settings, from age-based conversation groups to creative arts and building and inventing groups, to D&D, tabletop, and rock-climbing groups. We have a blast with our students and learn a lot along the way!
We are looking for volunteers who have a passion for working with children and a desire to understand and assist unique learners in navigating their social worlds. Volunteers will work with a diverse team of facilitators including mental health professionals, special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, behavioral therapists, and other professional backgrounds. Volunteers are welcome to take part in group supervision meetings, team problem-solving via google hangout, and any staff trainings as they arise. We look forward to having you as part of the team!
WORK DESCRIPTION
IMPACT
Our groups are often the only place our students have to socialize with peers who have similar challenges to theirs. The confidence and friendships that students build in our programs can be life changing. Volunteers play an essential role in providing extra support for students who are having trouble engaging at first with the group. Your enthusiasm and energy help to make group fun and a place where students feel truly accepted for who they are.
2400 NE 95th St, Seattle, WA 98115, US
Ryther provides exceptional therapeutic services to young people who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally so they may find a path to healing and hope.
Ryther is a recognized leader in behavioral health services for Washington state children and their families facing complex challenges. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive services and innovative treatments. We guide, coach and teach so that every child and family we work with may experience new ways of thinking, develop positive relationships, and realize a better life.
Founded in 1885, Ryther is one of the region's most enduring nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable children and their families. As a thought-leader in our field, we evolved from the traditional orphanage model in the 1930s and refocused our mission to treat troubled children using innovative and proven therapeutic techniques.
Today, we serve children and adolescents referred by parents, physicians, state agencies, courts, schools and other providers working with children. We have expanded our services to include programs and solutions for families with children who have challenges stemming from trauma, mental illness, substance abuse, Autism Spectrum Disorders, or adjustment issues with school, peers or parents.
2400 NE 95th StSeattle, WA 98115
August 29, 2023
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